RTA - unexpected insurance response

[Newchodge]

Last Wednesday I had a minor RTA when someone reversed out of their parking space in a multi-storey car park and hit the side of my car as I was driving past.

They immediately apologised, asked not to involve insurers and stated they would pay for it. Slightly weird behaviour as they suggested we go immediately to their uncle's who would carry out the repair. I refused, They then asked for my bank account details (so they could pay!) and when I refused they argued that I was mad to think they could steal from me just by knowing my bank account details.

I got their name, mobile number and address and their registration number (after I had cleared the ingrained dirt on their number plate). They had my mobile number as I rang their number to check, but asked for no other details.

Thursday I messaged them the quote £800. They insisted they could do it for £100 and started to dispute liability so I reported it to my insurance company. They set up repar quote and replacement vehicle for when the repair is carried out.

Churchill insurance (theirs) contacted me on Friday, admitted full liability and offered, if I used their car hire company they would pay me £250 (and cover the car hire cost. they also said I may have to pay the car hire organised by my insurers.

Does this sound normal? I haven't made an RTA claim for more than 40 years.

 

[intheTRADE]

Its not something I have come across before but I would certainly take them up on their offer if thats what they are offering - You may have to pay for the hire through your insurer depending on your policy

 

[WaveJumper]

Sorry to hear about the RTA what have your insurance company advised

 

[Mark T Jones]

the £250 sounds strange - but hey, it's up to them!

When I got hit by a Direct Line driver a few years ago, DL contacted me directly within a few hours, offered a replacement car and assured me they would go with a repairer of my choice.

(They promised a like-for-like car then tried to fob me off with a Micra against my BMW, but that's another story)

 

[GraemeL]

There have been quite a few issues about this practice Cyndy.

Car insurance and the little-known world of credit hire companies

A driver who did nothing wrong found herself drawn into a legal action over the £4,000 hire of a courtesy vehicle

www.theguardian.com

Pitfalls to avoid following a car accident

You’ve just had a car accident, you’re without your car – an immediate and real problem. You still have your usual commitments, including work and...

www.furleypage.co.uk

Are you sure that the Churchill that contacted you were the 3rd parties insurers?

I absolutely would not go through anyone except my own insurance company if I was involved in an accident.

 

[IanSuth]

Even if you are totally through your own insurer once settled ensure the correct info is on MID, even a no fault accident can bump your premium up so you want whatever is on their to be accurate

 

[DontAsk]

I would refer the other party's insurers to your own insurers and have nothing to do with them. It seems odd to me that they would be contacting you. Just deal with your own insurers.

Check your policy whether the cost of the hire car is included. It always has been for me.

 

[Newchodge]

There have been quite a few issues about this practice Cyndy.

Car insurance and the little-known world of credit hire companies

A driver who did nothing wrong found herself drawn into a legal action over the £4,000 hire of a courtesy vehicle

www.theguardian.com

Pitfalls to avoid following a car accident

You’ve just had a car accident, you’re without your car – an immediate and real problem. You still have your usual commitments, including work and...

www.furleypage.co.uk

Are you sure that the Churchill that contacted you were the 3rd parties insurers?

I absolutely would not go through anyone except my own insurance company if I was involved in an accident.

Thanks, I think my insurer (Hastings) may be guilty here. I completed an on line claim form which stated, very quickly that it was no fault and referred me to their 'repairers'. Enterprise Car Hire. They went over a number of things, offered a hire car straight away which I rejected as my car is driveable and insisted that I don't allow anyone else to take over the claim. I have snet a copy of Churchill's leter to my insurer's this morning and asked them to cofirm whether there is any risk of my having to pay for the hire car. No response yet.

 

[DontAsk]

asked them to cofirm whether there is any risk of my having to pay for the hire car

Not if you rejected it.

If you do take a hire car you just need to make sure you don't take a Veyron when your own car is Fiesta, if you see what I mean.

 

[Mr D]

Always speak to your own insurance company before accepting an offer.
And yes you were right to not give bank details out.

 

[MBE2017]

A lot of insurers do such things to stop injury claims, getting on your good side etc.